Brumbies include Pocock in squad for Highlanders

The Brumbies have named former Wallabies captain David Pocock in their squad to face the Highlanders in their first Super Rugby warm up for 2014.

The Brumbies take on the Highlanders in Queenstown for their first hit-out of the 2014 season.

One of two trial matches scheduled for the Brumbies in 2014, the Highlanders will provide a big test for the tourists who will travel to New Zealand on Thursday morning.

All five of the Brumbies EPS players have been included in the squad which will be Captained by Wallabies Skipper, David Pocock.

Pocock will return from a 10-month injury absence and hasn't played since he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a match against the Waratahs in March 2013.

The open side flanker, who captained Australia in 2012, said "it's the first big surgery I've had, but the Brumbies have such a good rehab' program and I'm very confident with where I'm at and it's all mental now."

"I'm nervous, but I'm more excited," added Pocock.

Train-on members of the Brumbies squad Rodney Iona, Matt Hawke, Michael Smith and Tom Staniforth will also make the trip across the ditch.

Along with EPS players Lachlan McCaffrey, Allan Alaalatoa, JP Smith and Michael Dowsett, new Brumbies Haru Tetakawa, Jarrad Butler, Jack Whetton, Lionel Cronje and Conrad Hoffmann will all make their first appearances in the gold and navy strip.

The Brumbies will train on Tuesday, travel to Sydney on Wednesday before leaving for Queenstown on Thursday morning.